Largest seizures of suspected heroin and suspected marijuana ever in Alberta
On June 4, 2014, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) seized 197 kg of suspected marijuana and 14 kg of suspected heroin from a tractor trailer at Edmonton Commercial Operations at the Edmonton International Airport. As part of the same investigation, Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) seized an additional 95 kg of suspected marijuana and 6 kg of suspected hashish.
On June 4, 2014, CBSA officers received information from ALERT that a suspicious tractor trailer was en route to the CBSA’s facility. They examined the tractor trailer, containing goods from an overseas shipment requiring custom clearance in Edmonton. After opening the trailer, officers noticed a strong smell of marijuana. They located 16 moving boxes which contained a total of 197 kg of suspected marijuana. Officers continued to search the trailer and located 14 kg of suspected heroin, concealed in a storage compartment under the trailer.
As a result of the CBSA seizure, two men were arrested and have been criminally charged by the RCMP. The investigation is ongoing.
Quick Facts
- This is the largest suspected heroin seizure ever in Alberta.
- The suspected marijuana seized by both the CBSA and ALERT combines for the largest seizure ever of suspected marijuana in Alberta.
- The CBSA and ALERT work together to prevent illegal drug smuggling that endangers the safety of Canadian communities and generates profits for organized crime.
Quotes
“I am proud of the work that our officers do, each and every day, in protecting our borders and keeping dangerous drugs from reaching the streets of our communities.”
- Kim R. Scoville, CBSA Regional Director General for the Prairie Region
“A seizure of this magnitude highlights the success ALERT is having across the province in tackling and disrupting organized crime. Drugs are a commodity for organized crime groups, whose dependency on violence and addiction negatively impacts every community in Alberta.”
- ALERT Insp. Darcy Strang
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Contacts
CBSA Media Relations
1-844-245-2272
Mike Tucker
ALERT Media Relations
780-509-3015
